Hurdle



1 C. FISCHER March 17, 1959 HURDLE Filed June 6, 1958 aver/s Haw/Eli ,4TIOEIVE V HURDLE Curtis Fischer, Newton, Kans. Application June 6, 1958,Serial No. 740,278

3 Claims. (Cl. 272-59) This invention relates generally to athleticequipment and more particularly to a hurdle which can be used forrunning oif hurdling events requiring different height hurdles during atrack meet.

As is well known, hurdle heights of thirty inches, thirtysix inches,thirty-nine inches and forty-two inches are normally required toaccommodate both high school and college students. One of the majorproblems in running ofi varioushurdling events is the changing of hurdleheights. Another problem is the proper weighting of the hurdles tocompensate for changes in height in order to obtain the requiredtip-over resistance for each height.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a single hurdle whichhas two different fixed heights, and which can be placed in one positionfor low hurdle events and in another position for high hurdle events,and which is so constructed that'it automatically provides different andproper tip-over resistances in each position, without any manualadjustmentor positioning of counterbalance weights. i

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a modifiedembodiment'of the above type hurdle which is also adjustable in heightwhen placed in its high hurdle position, and can therefore serve as athirty-six inch or forty-two inch or thirty-nine inch high hurdle, yetstill provide a tip-over resistance which meets rule requirements forall threeheig'hts." I

Another importantobjectof the invention is to provide a hurdle whichembodies gravity shifted weights which provide regulation tip-overresistance automatically when the hurdle is moved either into its highor its low hurdle positions. This makes for rapidity in setting up thehurdle for various hurdling events with a minimum of man power.

- 1 My invention will be more clearly understood when the followingdescription is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figs. 1 and 2 are miniature side views illustrating a hurdle embodyingmy invention in its low and high hurdle positions respectively, with theweights shifted to difierent relative positions in each view;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a hurdle construction embodying thisinvention, the hurdle having two fixed heights and being shown in itslow hurdle position;

Fig. 4 is a modified construction embodying the invention, thisembodiment being capable of being varied in height when in its highhurdle position, the hurdle being shown in low hurdle position; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view illustrating one form of lock forlocking the hurdle in a fixed height adjust ment.

As will be seen from Figs. 1 to 3, my hurdle is generally L-shaped inside elevation or cross-section, having a short leg portion designatedas a whole by the numeral 10, and a long leg portion designated as awhole by the numeral 11. It may be positioned on its long leg portion asa base supporting the short leg portion in upright position, as shown inFig. 1, or it may be positioned on its short United States Patent O v 2leg portion as a base holding the long leg portion in upright position,as shown in Fig. 2.

As shown, the Fig. 3 embodiment comprises an open framework structure,which includes a pair of laterally spaced juxtaposed L-shaped sidemembers 12 and 13, which respectively include long legs 14 and 15 andshort legs 16 and 17. These side members are similarly positioned inspaced parallel planes, and are held rigidly in such positions by rigidtransverse cross brace members 18, 19 and 20. Such cross bracing maytake any desired form, such as X bracing. As shown, the cross bracemembers are parallel to each other. Member 18 has its opposite endsrigidly connected to the respective outer ends ofthe short legs 16 and17. Cross member 19 has its opposite ends rigidly secured, as by bracingor welding to the respective side members near the points of juncture ofthe respective long and short legs. Cross bracemember 20 has itsopposite ends rigidly secured as by braising or welding to therespective outer ends of the long legs 14 and 15.

Toprovide proper tip-over resistance, whether its long legs are used asa base, a pair of weight supporting rods 21 and 22 are angularlydisposed across the juncture points of the long and short legs. One endof each rod is rigidly secured as by welding to a respective one of theshortlegs, near the outer ends thereof. The opposite end of each rod issecured to one of the long legs intermediate its ends.

Ball-type weights 23 and 24 are slidably mounted one 'oneach rod.

Wooden cross bars 25 and 26 are secured transversely across therespective outer ends of the long leg and short leg portions of thehurdle; Rivets or bolts 27 and 28 are used to secure the cross bars tothe cross brace members 18 and 20, respectively. a

From the above description, and from an examination of Figs. 1 and 2 itwill be seen that when the hurdle is positioned with its long legportion 11 as a base, the short leg portion thereof (10) is held in anupright position. "It will also be seen that both the weights 23 and 24automatically gravitate downward on their respective rods to thepositions shown in Figs. 1 and 3. By using weights of proper size and byattaching the ends of the rods'21 and 22 at a proper distance from thepoint of juncture of the short and long legs, the weights will thusautomatically provide the desired resistance to tilting or tip-over ofthe short leg portion of the hurdle. Y

- When the hurdle is changed to its Fig. 2 position the weights 23 and24 gravitate in an opposite direction on the'rods-Zl and 22.,By-locating the ends of the r'ods22 a proper distance outward from thepoint of juncture of the short and long legs the weights will provide adifierent but desired resistance to tip-over of the hurdle in its highhurdle position.

Referring now to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4it will be seen that the L-shaped side members 27 and 28 are madeintegral with the cross brace member 29. which connects the outer endsof the two short legs 30 and 31 of the side members. Cross 'brace member32 is secured in the same relative position and in the same manner, asby welding or braising as cross brace member 19 in the Fig. 3embodiment.

In this latter embodiment the cross brace member of the Fig. 3embodiment (20) is eliminated. As a substitute a generally U-shapedcross brace member 33 is provided. The free ends of U-shaped bracemember 33 are hollow or tubular and they telescopically receive therespective outer ends of the respective long legs 34 and 35 of the sidemembers 27 and 28.

The cross bars 36 and 37 are mounted on the cross brace members 29 and33, respectively, in the same manner as in the Fig. 3 embodiment. Therods 38 and 39 and--ft11e rod supporting Weights are mounted in :manneras described insconnectionwith the Fig.3 embodiment. It will be notedthat the free tubular ends of the U-shaped cross brace member 33 arefitted with spring pressed lock'pins 42 and 43. When the cross bracemember 33 and its bar .37 are-moved towardcr away from the :crossbracememberfll the lock pins 42;and 43 areiadapted to enter :holes 44which are oppositelyv positioned in the long leg members 27tandl28 .ofthe two-side member. The pins thus serve to lock thecross brace member33 in a desired height. adjustment.

' The details of construction of one type of:spring pressed lock pin areshown in Fig. 5. .A-cup shapedlhousing 45 is braised or welded. to theouter surface of the tubular cross brace-member 33. The lock pin 43 ismovable longitudinally and centrally in the housing 45 with -its-.innerend passing through a suitably located hole .in the tube 33 .andaregistering hole in the long leg .28. .A spring 46 bears against oneend of the housing and against a fixed-washer 47 carried by the pin 43,thus urging the pin inwardly with respect to the tube 33 on whichcit ismounted.

'IhePig. 4 embodiment of the invention is used inthe same manner asdescribed in Fig. 3 embodiment. .It may be placed on its short legportion as a base, supportingrthe long leg'portionin an uprightposition, or it may be placed on its long leg portion as .a basesupporting the shortileg portion in an upright position. When .the shortleg :portionis being used as a base the cross brace'member 33 may beraised or lowered to a desired heightsetting. The weights 40 and 41serve to provide counterbalance resistance against tilting or tip-overof that portion of the hurdle which is being held upright.

Having described the invention with suflicient clarity to, enablethose'familiar with this art to construct and use it, ,I'claim:

1....A two position combination high and low hurdle comprising: a pairof rigid substantially identical generally L-shaped side members eachhaving :a :short leg and :a long leg, said members being similarlypositioned in spaced parallel ,planes; rigid transverse cross bracemembers having their opposite ends connected to the respective sidemembers to vform a rigid hurdle :stmcture .whichmay rest on its shortleg portion as a base supporting the long leg portion upright, or whichmay .rest on its long leg portion as a base supporting the short legpor- :tion upright; two weight carrying rods, one ,for each side member,each rod having one end connected rigidly toa respective side membershort leg near its'outer end, Jandcach rod having its oppositeendconnected rigidly to a respective side member long .leg intermediateits ends; and a pair of substantially identical weights, one mounted toslide along each rod under the force of gravity,

whereby when the hurdle is supported on eitheritslong the-same leg orshort leg portion as a'base, the weights automatically gravitatedownward on their rods to the base portion and away from that portion inupright position, and provide counterbalance resistance against tiltingor tip-over of said upright portion.

2. The hurdle structure described in claim 1 in which the cross bracemembers are three in number, one brace having its opposite endsconnected to the respective side member short legs near their outerends, a second brace member having its opposite endsconnected to therespective side long legs near their outer ends, and the third bracemember *having' its opposite'ends connected to the respective sidemembers near the points of juncture of the respective long and shortlegs.

3. A two position combination'high-and low hurdle comprising: an openframe work structure generally L- shaped in cross section and having along leg portion and a short leg portion either of which it may rest onas a base, said structure including a pair of laterally spacedjuxtaposed L-shaped side members; an integral transverse cross bracemember connecting the outer ends of the respective short legs of saidside members; a second transverse cross brace member having its oppositeends rigidly connected to the respective side members near the points ofjuncture of the respective short and long legs thereof; a thirdgenerally U-shaped transverse cross 'brace member, its free ends beingtubular and telescopically receiving the outer ends of the respectivelong legs of said side members; means for locking said third bracemember in selected positions on the longlegs of said side members; twoweight carrying rods, one for each side member, each rod having one endconnected rigidly to a respective side membershort leg near its outerend, and

each rod having its opposite end connected rigidly to a respective sidemember long leg intermediate its ends; and a pair of substantiallyidentical weights, one mounted to slide along each rod under the forceof gravity, whereby when the hurdle is supported on either its long legor short leg portion asa base, the weights automatically gravitatedownward on their rods to the base portion and away from that portion inupright position, and provide counterbalance resistance against tiltingor tip-over of. said upright portion.

Great Britain Mar. '21, 1956

